A Gentleman in Moscow (2024– ) User Reviews

Loved the book, wanted to love the show

[Mimi2290 · 6/10 · 13 April 2024]

I loved the book A Gentleman in Moscow so much that I read it as slowly as possible so I could savor every beautifully written page. I was was looking forward to the show and liking it well enough until the second episode when diverse Bolshevik and Russian characters started appearing which is completely historically inaccurate. It's frankly ludicrous and does such a disservice to the book I love so much, because otherwise the set, costumes, hair, etc are appropriate. The casting is distracting and makes it hard to enjoy the show. Why not cast ethnic Russians and stay true to the book?

This show also isn't going to age well given the historical inaccuracies. Disappointed.

Colour-blind Casting an unnecessary imposition

[timjimharrison · 6/10 · 2 May 2024]

I have no problem whatsoever with colourblind casting for modern drama fully reflective of modern milieus but, given the fundamental requirement for the willing suspension of disbelief by viewers, this, for me, becomes nigh on impossible with period drama.

The ethnic mix of 20s and 30s Russia is plentiful enough without positively demanding the presence of sub-Saharan Africans. Alexander wouldn't allow his friend Mishka to marry his sister because he wasn't a titled aristocrat; yeah, that was why.

The "progressive" fascism of our times thus sets even the most basic attempts at any kind of authenticity at nought and the irony is not lost on viewers carefully dissecting the doctrinal fascism of the Bolshevik characters in this otherwise engaging adaptation of a sublime novel.

For all the positive discrimination of the casting it is also worth asking why none of the transparently bad characters are black? So, colourblind up to a point. Hmmmm. It seems a little patronising and fully illustrative of the minefield so blithely entered by the producers of this, and upcoming, dramas. The road to Hell is paved yet with good intentions. Three stars lost on account of this tediously unnecessary yet stupidly fashionable and corrosive trend.

A Gentleman in Moscow

[mezzaitaliana-89131 · 7/10 · 9 April 2024]

A Gentleman in Moscow is a wonderfully entertaining novel, full of pathos and subtlety.

I recently read an article where the author Amor Towles gave the green light on this adaptation and is Executive Producer. So I believed it to be in safe hands.

After watching two episodes I can say the cinematography, production and costume design are top rate. The casting is not. Ewan McGregor is a fine actor, however he cannot disguise entirely his Scottish accent which is jarring for a Russian Count. Some of the other actors come across as caricatures.

Because of the diverse casting policies now, one of the Russian Bolsheviks is played by a black man with dreadlocks which clearly would not exist in the 1920's.

History whether fact or fiction should be accurate in every way in my opinion.

I won't be bothering with the next episodes. I want to keep my memories of the book intact.

Quiet, atmospheric, subtle

[caltaert · 8/10 · 31 March 2024]

I really enjoyed the first episode, and look forward to the next.

Here's the deal: if you don't know the book, and you're looking for action, this won't be the show for you.

If you do know the book, you'll likely love it.

If, however, you don't know the book, and you enjoy a slow burn with great acting, you may be in luck.

Taking place shortly after the revolution, the plot revolves around the life of one of the last aristocrats of Russia. He's been imprisoned for life in a hotel, if he ever leaves, he'll be killed on the spot. Ejected out of his posh suites, he's forced to live in old servants quarters in the attic.

Episode one shows us a glimpse of his past, and gives us a sampling of his character. The Red Guard are everywhere, and have filled some of the hotel positions with spies, looking for traitors. Anyone deemed a threat is taken out of view and summarily executed by a bullet to the head.

It's a nice balance of whimsy and darkness, with a creature of politics and privilege navigating the murky waters of a revolution in progress. Will he survive? Will he be able to use his connections and intelligence to escape?

For myself, I can't wait to see where the story leads....

Not historical all Fictional

[sossullivan · 8/10 · 9 April 2024]

Great story line. I have not read the book but would like to point out that Russia's Black population has been, and still is near zero.

I understand the need to maintain an unbiased acting crew thus the description should be changed to Fictional Drama.

The series is entertaining but certainly not historical. Ewan McGregor does an excellent performance as the victimized product of the Russian Revolution.

For those unfamiliar with actual history the importance of informing the viewers that the show is an entire work of fiction by using a period in time and place to create a fairytale, which is what a Gentleman in Moscow is.

Historical fiction

[darkmax · 7/10 · 5 May 2024]

Is this historically accurate? Hell no. Is this entertaining? Well, yes if you like slow burn drama. One massive complaint I have is the force diversity casting in this. Why are there Black people in the newly-formed Soviet Union in this time period? It's like putting a human in a dinosaurs movie set during their reign. It is unforgivable! I'm quite sure it will not be appropriate for a few white men is cast in a tribal Zulu depiction, right? I would suggest DEI and all those diversity people be more logic and historical accurate. We have come a long way from the days of black-faced white men in movies, can we please stop doing the exact same thing with DEI?

Watch the whole series before you write a review.

[robbieoconnell-10888 · 6 April 2024]

I am a huge fan of the novel, A Gentlman in Moscow and Amor Towles other novels. It is an instant classic. I have been waiting for a year or more for the television series but I am reserving judgement until I can see all the episodes. To write a review before based on a couple of episodes is ridiculous. The book is a work of art and reads like a fable. It is not intended to be a history of the Russian revolution. It is about the triumph of the human spirit against authoritarianism, ignited by the spirit of a unique young girl. It is charming, profound and beautifully written.

The author is on record saying he is very happy with the adaptation so I am eagerly waiting to see it in its entirety before passing judgement. Any video adaptation of a book has to leave out a lot of nuance and rarely works well. To me the book is inevitably better as it can accommodate much more detail but, given the author's enthusiasm, I am optimistic and await the full series with great anticipation.

Leading up to be a great show

[Beske · 10/10 · 29 March 2024]

This is truly leading up to be a great show.

The acting is superb, the set designs incredible and with the score and filming in world class - this is a show to watch.

It may not fit all viewers, but if you're interested in history, period costumes, and like quirky thrillers, this is for you. It's dark but a bit cheerful at the same time, which makes the darker parts seem even darker.

Also, one cannot avoid seeing some parallels to more recent history - not in the same way, of course, but food for thought nonetheless.

It is a truly interesting and thrilling show that draws you in from the very beginning of the first episode.

Good acting but new era casting

[radeksvobodacz · 7/10 · 28 April 2024]

The setup in a hotel is wuite interesting. Ewan and young Anna Kulikova casting was perfect, also ther acting was top class and the story is interesting. The acting of the 20th century era Javert and the regime favoured actress was mediocre at best, also partial nudity would as well improve the series.

The downside being the new casting principle, where all races must be present in any production even for docudrama. The casting of the minister is so unbelievable, that it completely destroys the immersion into the series. I am looking forward to a slavery movie where half the slaves are white and half the slavers are black.

Enjoyable, but the casting is ... ummm

[Sextus · 5/10 · 7 April 2024]

Having enjoyed Towles' novel, I was looking forward to this series and was happy that Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead were to feature in the cast. Episode One began things well, with McGregor capturing Rostov's charm, elegance and optimism nicely. EpisodeTwo has introduced. Winstead as a suitablly feline Anna Urbanova. But this is where things got ... weird.

It was already clear that the production was indulging in the current fad for multi-racial casting in period productions. While the - for Moscow circa 1918 - remarkably diverse cast was found mainly in the staff of the Hotel Metropol, this was a bit odd, but not too distracting. It would be highly unlikely that a hotel in Moscow in this period would have so many non-white staff, but it wasn't so much of a stretch as to take the viewer out of the production.

But when.the second episode introduced Rostov's old schoolfriend Mikhail "Mishka" Mindich played by. Fehinti Balogun, disbelief became increasingly hard to suspend. Why did a Russian aristrocrat go to school with a black man? No explanation was given. There was a line about Rostov's family "taking (him) in" and clothing him, but no backstory as to how they would know each other at all. Similarly, the Soviet. Minister of Culture Minister of Culture Nachevko is played by Jason Forbes. How many Soviet ministers in this or any period were black? None. So why this casting?

Some online publicity about the adaptation made a comment about the casting "looking more like our world than Revolutionary Russia" as though this was good thing. Which raises the question ... why? Surely the whole point of setting a story in Revolutionary Russia is make things look like THAT world, and not ours. Otherwise, why bother at all? Having Rostov pull out an iPhone or seeing Anna Urbanova pull up in a Tesla would also make it look "more like our world" and so would be absurd. So why not that, but this weird casting?

I'll going to persevere with the series despite this. But I really hope this bizarre and pointless anchronistic casting in historical productions is a trend that will pass very soon. Diverse casting is great ... when it makes sense. Here, as in too many period productions lately, it simply does not. And it adds absolutely nothing.

A mixed adaptation of the book

[loydwood · 7/10 · 15 April 2024]

I loved the book and it was beautifully written. I enjoyed its similar vein to the 100 year old man who climbed out of the window. Melding the life of the Count as the main protagonist whose life in the hotel bubble is juxtaposed with events of Russian history. At the same time whilst his class has given him manners and good humour this is seen as an anachronism within the revolutionary context. His adaptation to the circumstances is necessary but the relationships that he establishes with all those he meets is consistent. It reminds us that a person whose conduct is impeccable to all will transcend any definition of class which is naturally prone to bias. McGregor has captured the Count's personality so well and a number of great moments from the book have happened. My only concerns are that reading such a great book will inevitably lead to some disappointment as rarely can TV truly recreate such art. There will always be plot lines removed or layered or simplified (and that is why I feel books are a dominant medium for intellectuals). This has happened a bit but my wife has not read the book and is really enjoying the TV version so that for me is an important barometer for the production. As someone who did read the book the only weird thing for me would be to try and convince me to deny this is set in Russia during the revolution. I enjoy Russian history itself and it was this context that made sense for me in the book and it shapes the drama and humour, the motivations and characters behaviours. I'm not interested in trying to parallel this with modern Russia or any other view of a distopian adaptive society. Otherwise the book / TV show would not be a Gentleman in "Moscow" but a Gentleman in "any distopian context you care to imagine". Maybe that is what is wanted but it could be considered revisionist and culturally disturbing given the supposed desire for integrity and authenticity.

I've read articles implying that Moscow is not an important factor and should be lessened so that broader messages can be portrayed of a modern context. Maybe this is spin to attract viewership and might help. But I'd still hope people would read the book for it's gorgeous. My view is that the Russian past is the past and is also its past. It should be respected for what it was however agreeable or not to those outside Russia. It is not a predictor of alternate countries present or future which is to use an analogy why Civil War is about America and not a metaphor for any other country.

Great setting, great book... But the casting?

[BFulyaU · 4/10 · 11 April 2024]

I see that I am not the only one who fell in love with the book, looked forward to see it realized on the screen and is shocked out of her slippers when faced with the casting choices of the director.

Ewan McGregor is an unlikely choice, not perfect, but acceptable. He is an excellent actor after all and here, he is truly "acting" a bit. However, it all stops there. It seems like half the cast is African American/British. What? It 1917 in Russia and half the population is black. I would bet you anything 99% of the Russians died without seeing a single person of African origin back in those days.

This is a period drama. Mishka is a Russian man, and here is his full name: Mikhail Fyodorovich Mindich. Who would believe that if he is played by Fehinti Balogun? How plausible is it that half of the population in Russia is of African origin, even of nobility. (Apologies for reiterating.)

This is no different than Napoleon played by Will Smith, or Mahatma Gandhi by Leonardo di Caprio.

I managed to watch the first episode, for the sake of my love for the book. Seeing the hotel that I imagined so much while reading the book take shape on the screen made me happy. But it stopped there. The second episode started with Mishka (?) and ended all for me.

I don't believe I will continue watching and it is such a shame for this could have been such an amazing piece of work with such amazing source material.

Long anticipated, worth the wait

[ybcrnczxt · 10/10 · 30 March 2024]

A few years back when I read that Kenneth Branagh had purchased the film rights to one of my all-time favorite books, A Gentleman in Moscow, I checked monthly for news.

Although I had assumed Sir Kenneth would play the lead, Ewen McGregor brings his own acting chops to the character and I was not disappointed.

In my experience, movies based on books are necessarily different than how one imagined while reading because...every reader's imagination is different.

I'm one episode in and I am delighted with this adaptation and interpretation.

I may even watch this episode again while anticipating the weekly drop.

10/10.

PS One puzzling comment about the race of a pivotal character: The book doesn't mention race...whatsoever. Therefore, it didn't stray from the book.

Love the Story, Hate the video Production

[joel-plotkin · 7/10 · 4 April 2024]

Why in G-d's name did the video producers decide they needed to use a "busy camera"? What a stupid idea! The setting is so beautiful, the story is gripping enough to hold anyone's attention.

I do not plan to watch the rest of this series, but will instead read the novel. It is such a cliche to use the "busy camera" while filming a most movies. Additionally, in some sequences, the camera repeatedly swept across a scene, repeatedly! Why do *that*? What in G-d's name are the producers thinking that that makes the story better?

So, I am sorry to say that I cannot continue to watch the rest of the series. I hope that my review means something to the producers of the show.

A Captivating Tale of Elegance and Resilience

[seanmccarthy-49241 · 10/10 · 1 April 2024]

A Gentleman in Moscow is an exquisite masterpiece that beautifully captures the essence of resilience and human spirit. Set against the backdrop of post-revolution Russia, this enchanting story follows the life of Count Alexander Rostov, who is placed under house arrest in the luxurious Metropol Hotel.

Despite being confined within the hotel's walls, the Count's wit, charm, and elegance shine through as he navigates the changing political landscape and forges deep connections with the hotel's eclectic guests and staff.

The storytelling and acting in A Gentleman in Moscow is shaping up to be nothing short of brilliant, as Amor Towles weaves together history, romance, and humor seamlessly.

tips for enjoying the show

[moatazmounir-20464 · 7/10 · 3 May 2024]

A really nice fall from grace story, and re-inventing one's self. There are incredibly annoying aspects of the show that you should deal with though:

1- By now, you should know that almost any hollywood "historical" story, is actually a work of fiction. They might as well have happened in a parallel universe.

2- Be color blind, we all know that 99.9% of Russians are not black, even if that's not the case in the show (again, parallel universe)

3- Apart from the first 2 episodes, keep your finger on the skip button for the occasional nonsensical propaganda.

4- Keep your finger on the skip button for a lot of the female conversations in the show that mostly serve no purpose other than (women are strong, men are evil, women are the victims of men, etc..).

Ewan Mcgregor actually does a very good job, and visuals are decent.

Didn't disappoint

[asyaabd · 10/10 · 30 March 2024]

I was super excited for the first episode of Jentelman in Moscow after loving the book, and I wasn't let down at all. The acting is fantastic, making the characters feel real and true to the story. The visuals in the episode are stunning, capturing the world of the book perfectly and making it even more captivating to watch. And the dialogue is great too! It keeps the same vibe as the book while adding some new stuff to make the characters even more interesting. Overall, the first episode of Jentelman in Moscow is a big win. It brings the book to life in an awesome way. With its exceptional acting, stunning visuals, and compelling dialogue, this show is poised to become a must-watch for audiences everywhere.

Funded by aristocrats?

[tristannaramore · 6/10 · 31 March 2024]

I simply cannot fathom why this show exists at this particular moment in history. With all that's happening in Russia, the revolutionary fervor of a repressed class slowly realizing the world is indeed run by an oligarchy (or perhaps kleptocracy), and given the recent spate of hating-on-the rich movies and shows--why did the show runners decide to make this particular story now?

My main beef with it is how they represent the Ewan's class of aristocrats as just decent, normal people like the rest of us. Meanwhile the revolutionaries are mostly cold, heartless apparatchiks. There's no consideration given as to WHY they rebelled in the first place. It's like someone read Tale of Two Cities without gaining any insight into the nuanced interplay between normal people caught up in A Big Historical Moment.

If you want to see a far better (though satirical) depiction of Russian aristocracy at its finest, watch The Great.

I'm certainly not saying all aristocrats were bad and all revolutionaries were good. McGregor's character was the very definition of the word "gentleman." Impeccable. Irrepressible. Irreproachable, maybe. His basic decency would have been far more impactful if he were shown in the light contrasted against those of his horrendous, parasitic class.

One other complaint: the production quality was very "soap opera". It lacked the grit and depth of a well made period piece that pulls you in and suspends disbelief.

This review is based on the first episode, which I watched for free. I do not need to see the rest.

Alexander Skarsgård as Shaka Zulu

[ksslavchev · 1/10 · 13 April 2024]

I can only understand the casting choice if in the next tv series about African history we have at least 50% Nordic actors , after all there were some many vikings in Africa 200 years ago, some of them tribal chieftains. No wonder there are no more dramas or thrillers on Netflix since the casting directors and producers of their shows are so obsessed with DEI just for the sake of it that they all feel like comedies. It is so tragic that one is not able to watch a really authentic period drama these days anymore. The brainwashing we are subjected to is scary and sadly reminds me of my childhood spent in a totalitarian regime back in the 80s. May the Force be with you!

So far excellent

[cmvipond-508-760646 · 10/10 · 2 April 2024]

The book was amazing and so far the series is spot on. The story is similar to a will to meaning, the idea is that we can get through anything in our own mind. It is not meant to be an historical interpretation of the times, though it will give you a glimpse of the different sides of the picture. Ewan is fantastic as the gentleman and I for one am excited to see the remains of the series. Everyone has their own opinion as you can see in the reviews. But those who have not read the book should wait to they watch the whole series before putting their two cents in. The first episode is just a small part of the entire story.

Apologies in advance..

[agnes-ermita · 7/10 · 26 April 2024]

.. but I bet you won't be able to unsee after reading this that Count Rostov's character played by Ewan Mcgregor looks like Jimmy Fallon here. 😆 It was difficult to take the character seriously because of it. Thus, poor makeup and production planning on that regard only.

I'm enjoying the first 3 episodes so far and plan to finish the entire miniseries.

I see undeniable chemistry amongst the actors especially between the reel and real couple Mcgregor and Winstead.

The book was brilliant it easily made me an instant fan of Amor Towles.

I wonder why some people are denying this to be a historical fiction. I think it is to me.

A Bit Heartbroken

[guba-julia · 2/10 · 7 April 2024]

I'm such a fan of the book. It is my happy place that I go to on a yearly basis. I love its characters, their journey, the fact that the author did a thorough research of the era. All these strong points are being gradually taken out in the series. I think by the end of the second episode there would be nothing for me to cling to.

Having a diverse cast is very important, but why this cast for the series? Russian Empire and then USSR had lots of ethnicities on their territories. Have Kazakhs there, Tajiks. That would be historically accurate and won't distract the audience.

And I feel disappointed by the decision to merge the stories of Mikhail Fyodorovich Mindich and Hussar Officer. And that Osip Ivanovich Glebnikov seems to be interested in Mindich and that is likely to be a connection between him and Count Rostov.

Why is the urge to change the narrative that works exceptionally well?

Good start

[Amar47792 · 8/10 · 1 April 2024]

Really enjoyed the first episode and here's hoping it goes on in the same vein. It starts slowly and feels a slow burn - I haven't read the book yet but by all accounts the book also seems a slow burner. Don't let that put you off, the characters are interesting, Ewan McGregor fits in seamlessly for his role and it is quite atmospheric. I can't think of anything negative to say and have to say this feels like an original and I can't think of any series it's taken from. The story starts towards the end of the Russian revolution and it's a Russia that is finding its feet and getting round to Leninism and Socialism.

I'm looking forward to the second episode so here's hoping the good work continues.

Please ignore "inappropriate" casting

[blue-lightning-ro · 10/10 · 12 April 2024]

Most of the reviews here complain about the casting. Yes, I get certain people might not have existed in that period of time in that region. I also get that this is not historically accurate. But it never pretends to be! This is fiction and it's a pretty good series.

The setting is really nice, the actors play very well, I actually like even the ones that play the "negative" roles, the music is absolutely wonderful.

So please, while I also don't like some things being forced and out of place in general, here it really doesn't bother me. It's fine. Let's not just complain every time without meaning.

Just give it a chance.

Magical, atmospheric, excellent

[agarwaengrc-71825 · 9/10 · 5 April 2024]

First things first, this is NOT a historical show. The history is used just so that sort of a "parallel universe" is constructed, the whole thing takes place in a magical alternate reality, which yes, is loosely based in the time and place referred (Russia, the first years after the revolution).

In this reality, an atmospheric, almost "Christmassy" story is weaved, with excellent, excellent performances (from an outstanding Ewan McGregor but not just him), talking about history and the force of society and the state on our private lives (not that era's society, but in general), our relationships, family. The series is at the same time feel-good and slow pace, but also moving and exciting. Yes, I do see a risk of it becoming boring or us not caring about the characters, simply because such stories (ie not thrillers, not scify, not fantasy adventures, not tragedies) carry this risk. For now at least (first two episodes) this risk has been completely avoided, surpassed by miles I would say, because of the characters and writing.